TAIWAN

Taiwan OKs Investment in China: The Taipei government has tentatively approved a plan to ease a ban on investment by Taiwan companies in mainland China’s services industry. The Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council, which coordinates government policy toward China, said it had approved a list of 158 service industries to be allowed to invest in China. Taiwan companies are only allowed to invest in China through third countries, and all projects require government approval. Direct investment is not allowed. Service industries included in the new regulations include advertising and media, pollution control and retailing. Commercial banking is not among the approved industries. Leading business executives have endorsed the plan, and government officials said it will lead to new Taiwan investment in China.